buzz with Nighthawk

[spooki]

I have a fret buzz now (only) on the A string first fret next to the nut. Big humidity change here due to the monsoon season in AZ. I have not had a pro set-up due to the fact it's a 150 mile drive. The neck looks straight but a visual is not as good as the straight edge of course. I've thought about tweaking the neck or raising the saddle but thought I'd ask a few questions first. Maybe possible it's always been there and I haven't noticed. I very seldom ever use that single note except for now, while learning Fortunate One. Sounds like a fret problem to me but am just guessing. Should I just leave it alone till the humidity get's back to normal, or maybe ?????. Appreciate any ideas, thanks...

[ChopperJohn]

I have had that problem too, and not wanting to spend the bucks on a pro fret job, i have in the past spot fixed a fret or two, Used some light gage sand paper, pulled the strings back just enough, and lightly sanded the fret down, very little at a time, just enough to get rid of the buzz, then i used some 0000 steel wool to finish it off, of course check everything before you do this, like neck, string hight, worn strings, I know too that traveling with my guitar, going from the ac in the car to outside, to inside, sometimes i get a buzz here and there, so i let it go for a day or so, in the house and check it again, anyway, Good Luck.

[spooki]

I have had that problem too, and not wanting to spend the bucks on a pro fret job, i have in the past spot fixed a fret or two, Used some light gage sand paper, pulled the strings back just enough, and lightly sanded the fret down, very little at a time, just enough to get rid of the buzz, then i used some 0000 steel wool to finish it off, of course check everything before you do this, like neck, string hight, worn strings, I know too that traveling with my guitar, going from the ac in the car to outside, to inside, sometimes i get a buzz here and there, so i let it go for a day or so, in the house and check it again, anyway, Good Luck.

Thanks for the ideas but find that a little scary since I sometimes don't know when to quit. I assume you lay tape down on both sides of the fret. If it continues after the humidity goes away I will probably buck up and find a Luthier within a couple hundred miles and trust my sole mate NH to a complete stranger. Thanks again for you time and input.

[ChopperJohn]

I totally understand, i have been working on guitars for awhile, and love to fix those little annoying problems.

Just too bad there is not a Luthier near you. I started out with a bunch of old cheap guitars, tearing them apart, and fixing them, it's fun, and a great way to learn without damaging your good guitar. Anyway good luck, let us know what you find out.

[Gordy01]

Buzz on the lower frets on the thicker guage strings, is usually a nut problem.

Of course it could be a bridge adjustment also.

 

Here's a quick way to check the height of the nut.

 

Take a capo and put it on the neck in between the 3rd and 4th frets, or capo 4.

Lightly tap the string in question at the 1st fret. If the string is laying on the 1st fret, the nut is cut too low. There should be a tiny bit of room there.

 

If there is room, then it could be a bridge adjustment, or an actual fret that needs work.

At least that way you would know.

[rednefceleb]

I started setting up my own guitars from the day I got my first. I received my Night Hawk recently. I always take off the truss rod cover as soon as I take delivery on a guitar. I bring out the saddle adjustment tool too. Turning the truss rod clockwise will tighten the neck & bring the strings closer to it. Turn it in small increments when tightening (clockwise). You will feel it tighten, so be careful not to break the rod. Experiment with the neck tension and string height. If you are patient between adjustments, you will "learn as you go." Between string changes, polish your frets with rubbing compound. Put masking tape along each fret to protect the fingerboard. Buy an oil for guitar fretboard treatment. I have used 3 in 1 oil liberally on dot necks but can't advise that for necks with large ornate inlays. The oil may loosen the crown inlays. You may also use very, very, fine emery paper to put level an uneven fret. Finally, look up set-ups in some of the major guitar "support" headings. Fender support has an excellent article on set ups in great detail. Their tech support will lead you thru each step. Who needs to spend $100.00 on something you could & should, learn for yourself. It becomes a satisfying and fun job. Thru this work you come to understand your guitars neck and strings much better. Have fun!

[spooki]

I started setting up my own guitars from the day I got my first. I received my Night Hawk recently. I always take off the truss rod cover as soon as I take delivery on a guitar. I bring out the saddle adjustment tool too. Turning the truss rod clockwise will tighten the neck & bring the strings closer to it. Turn it in small increments when tightening (clockwise). You will feel it tighten, so be careful not to break the rod. Experiment with the neck tension and string height. If you are patient between adjustments, you will "learn as you go." Between string changes, polish your frets with rubbing compound. Put masking tape along each fret to protect the fingerboard. Buy an oil for guitar fretboard treatment. I have used 3 in 1 oil liberally on dot necks but can't advise that for necks with large ornate inlays. The oil may loosen the crown inlays. You may also use very, very, fine emery paper to put level an uneven fret. Finally, look up set-ups in some of the major guitar "support" headings. Fender support has an excellent article on set ups in great detail. Their tech support will lead you thru each step. Who needs to spend $100.00 on something you could & should, learn for yourself. It becomes a satisfying and fun job. Thru this work you come to understand your guitars neck and strings much better. Have fun!

I did try the truss rod (clockwise) for a half turn at most. It actually felt like it went into a neutral. No feel of tightening or resistance. Should I try more?? String height did not help. I'm pretty sure it's that second fret because it's fine with the open A and only buzzes when you use the first fret, fine again on using the second fret which is the one giving trouble I think. I will give chase to the web sites on set-ups. I do enjoy fixing and working on my stuff. I just don't want to screw this up, so I'll get some study under my belt first. A quick Thanks to everybody out there that has replied. It's all been very helpful.